Category Archives: Read-a-Thon

Confession time. I dropped out of the Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon on Saturday. After missing the Spring readathon because I was meeting my newest nephew in Montana, I was really looking forward to the Fall readathon. In the past I have taken my pile of books and my laptop to my favorite coffee shop in the morning and settled until I needed to return home to take of the dog. This year I knew my morning routine was going to be different. My young nephews started playing football this year and they both had games that I wanted to see. I figured I could get some listening in while I drove, but the real reading wasn’t going to happen until after 5. In between the games we went to a local apple orchard for our annual apple fritter pilgrimage. I hardly thought about missing the readathon at all. I was having a great day! Finally the fall festivities wound down and I headed home to warm up and read. I decided to ease into the readathon and started with a graphic novel. I had just completed my first official hour of participation when my 10-year-old nephew called. He wanted to hang out with me while his mom and brother went to a haunted house. I jumped at that chance to introduce him to the show Supernatural. We skipped the scary first season and watched a few of the funnier episodes. By the time he left at 11 I tried to get back into reading, but my heart just wasn’t in it anymore. I even tried taking a nap, but that just made matters worse. So, I went to bed and got a good night’s sleep. I will try again in April. Moving on….

The Martianby Andy Weir-♥♥♥♥. I am pretty sure everyone knows by now that this book is about an astronaut who gets stuck on Mars. I avoided it for a long time, but I am glad I finally gave in and listened to it. I zoned out during some of the more sciencey bits, but overall it was a lot fun.

Drive by Daniel H. Pink-♥♥♥♥. This book focuses on the surprising things that motivate people to do their best work. I am on a bit of a self-improvement/leadership reading kick these days and I really enjoyed this one.

Lumberjanes, vol. 2 by Noelle Stevenson-♥♥♥♥. Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types is a unique summer camp. It’s not everyday campers have to battle gods and monsters, but it’s all in a day’s work for the Lumberjanes! This series is shaping up to be totally weird and extremely fun!

The Marvels by Brian Selznick-♥♥♥♥♥. In the illustrated story readers meet Billy Marvel, the lone survivor of a 1766 shipwreck. Billy becomes the father of the Marvel line which was world-renowned for generations of actors. The print story begins in 1990 with Joseph, a runaway from his boarding school. Joseph finds his way to London in search of an uncle he has never met. Upon his arrival he discovers clues that lead him to believe he is connected to the Marvel family. This is another beautiful and surprising offering from Selznick. Don’t be turned off by the size of the book, I read it in one sitting.

Current Audio:

I am behind on my Scott Westerfeld reading. My very own copy of Afterworlds sits untouched and gives me dirty looks all the time. I can’t have two books giving me the stink-eye, so I started Zeroes this weekend. I am furiously happy about Jenny Lawson’s new book, Furiously Happy and wish that I was in my car listening to it right now.

Currently Reading: I am all over the place and not fully committed to anything (except Fables)

Good Morning Readers! Today is the big day…and I have a schedule full of football games and a trip to the apple farm. So, I probably won’t get much reading in until after 5 today. I am going to have the best of both worlds-family fall fun day AND readathon! Lucky me. So, on to the Pre-Party introductions.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

I am going to be reading from chilly Cleveland, Ohio

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

I must admit, I did not plan at all for this event. I am excited to read the last volume of Fablesby Bill Willingham, but beyond that, my reading will be a surprise to all!

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

I cannot wait to get an apple fritter the size of my head at the apple farm!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I am the Teen Librarian at Rocky River Public Library and I love my job. I am slightly obsessed with the show Supernatural (Cas and Crowley are my favorites). I have a dog named Kevin. I can not imagine a life without coffee and cheese.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

This is not my first rodeo. What I have learned in the past is to just have fun. Also, pick short books and books you don’t mind skimming just a little. Seriously, this is not the time to savor!

I’m off to stand in the cold for 8 hours. I’ll me back this evening.

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Hours 1-6

So far I have managed a grand total of 30 minutes of listening to my audiobook, Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. I also saw my nephew score his team’s only touchdown and got my apple fritters at the orchard. I’m saving those for later!

Hour 7-10

You guys, it actually snowed. Football game #2 was a freezing affair, but we stayed warm with all the cheering we got to do. Nephew #2 was the star of his game too! I managed another 30 minute of Furiously Happy.

Hour 11

I am finally home and ready to focus on reading. I am going to start easy with some graphic novels. But first, a mini-challenge. Actually, my first mini-challenge and it’s an easy one. Fig and Thistle is doing a poll: pumpkin spice, yea or nay? I apologize for the creepy hoodie, but I am still cold! I say, yes to pumpkin spice, even in sausage. I have a lovely locally made pumpkin and walnut bratwurst that is delish. Ok, off to read. Lumberjanes, vol. 2by Noelle Stevenson, you’re up first.

Hour 12

It’s time for a mid-event survey.

1. What are you reading right now?

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds

2. How many books have you read so far?

Just the one so far.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

The Marvels by Brian Selznick

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

My entire first part of the day was an interruption. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Happy Monday! It’s a gorgeous day here in Cleveland and I have the day off. Lucky me! I have gotten my reading groove back and have read and listened to some great books this week. But first, a couple of bits of news. First, it’s time for another Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon! I missed the spring readathon because I was meeting my new nephew in April, but I am all registered for the October 17th event. You can sign up too! The second bit of news is that I was selected to be a judge for the Cybils Awards again. This time around I will be a Round 2 YA Speculative Fiction. There is still time to nominate titles, so head on over to the Cybil site if you are interested.

The others were all amazing! I am really loving the Ms. Marvel series and Lockwood & Co has taken an interesting turn. Walk the Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson is the first book in a new trilogy. Who new westerns could be so awesome? ♥♥♥♥♥ to all four!

Good morning! It’s time for another Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. Like last year, I will posting everything here throughout the day on one giant post, so scroll down for the new stuff! We like to start the day with a little getting to you sessions:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

I am reading in Cleveland, Ohio, where it is gray and rainy and cold. the PERFECT weather for a read-a-thon, if you ask me!

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

I have been hoarding books like crazy for weeks now! I am starting the day off with The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

It is now tradition that the day starts with fancy coffee and breakfast sandwiches at out local coffeeshop. I also have some honey sesame stick to contribute. Stacey was on snack duty this time, so it will be a surprise to me.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I am a Teen Librarian and I love my job. When I am not facilitating a book club or making candy sushi, I am usually at home with my neurotic dog, Kevin. I usually enjoy gardening, but this year it just didn’t happen and the weeds took over. I will be spending all next wee resisting the urge to set fire to my back yard! I like to putz around in the kitchen and am excited for the arrival of soup season. I am often found reading AND watching tv at the same time, but I do love disconnecting everything and hitting the mat for some yoga. This is my seventh time participating!
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

I feel like a seasoned read-a-thoner by now and I can finally say, that this is one unpredictable day! I haven’t completed 24 hours in ages and this year may be no different. We’ll see what happens!

Happy Reading!

∼Megan

It’s Hour 4 already! I think it’s finally time to do a little update and participate in an mini-challenge. This hour’s mini-challenge is Quotable Quotes. I chose a quote from my first book of the day, The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. So far it is difficult to not compare it to Harry Potter.

HOUR 6 ALREADY?!? I am more than half way through my first book. I don’t really feel a big rush this time around. I am pausing for a mini-challenge, and then maybe a sandwich. This hour’s challenge is to name our read-a-thon. The Geeky Book Blogger is hosting this one. Using my stack of books I have decided to call my Read-a-thon: My Sister Can’t Talk About the Prophecy Read-a-thon. I used these books to get that name:

My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece by Annabel PitcherCan’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz ChastGregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins

Hour 8 is great! I just finished my first book, The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. What a major disappointment! Time to shake it off and move on. Next up, a nonfiction graphic novel. Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast has been longlisted for the 2014 National Book Award for nonfiction. I hope I like it!

Hour 12!

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now?

Killer Instinctby Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2. How many books have you read so far?

I have finished one and 2/3 of a second, but it is very sad so I am taking mini breaks.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

El Deafo by Cece Bell

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Tons! I am not stressing out about this event. I have been enjoying my interruptions!

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

That we are already half done!

Hour 14: my reading pal and I spent all of hour 13 and some of hour 14 having a lovely dinner. Now I am home and in jammies and ready to see how much longer I last. This hour’s mini-challenge is cover colors. I chose four that I have recently read that have red and black covers:

Hour 16: I have finished by second book, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast. There were tears…I have moved on to my third book of the event, Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This hour’s challenge is a Pet Parade! This is Kevin. This is actually one of the first pictures I took of him after bringing him home from the shelter. He is a three-year-old golden retriever/chow mix. He is a hot mess of neuroses and fear, but he has made lots of progress in our 2 years together!

It’s a new week and we have awarded a new summer reading prize! One lucky winner will take home a basket full of goodies. And guess what? This week’s teen winner had only one entry in the box. The moral of the story is you can’t win if you don’t play! This week’s basket appears to be zombie themed…I see a zombie dice game, a universal battery bank, candy, the movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and of course, books! Come see us at the Reference Desk to sign up.

Starting tomorrow I will be participating in the Third Annual Summer Throwdown Readathon, hosted by The Brain Lair. What started as a friendly reading competition between teachers and librarians has morphed into one big reading challenge with everyone competing to reach a common goal. How nice, right? So far it looks like 90 readers are going to try to read over 3,000 books in the month of July! I signed up to read 12 books. Wish me luck. Or better yet, join me!

I took a few days off last week and I don’t know about you, but I often read less when I am on vacation (and I didn’t even go anywhere!). Of course, the books I chose to read were enormous! Here’s a quick Monday check-in.

Francona: The Red Sox Years by Terry Francona was an interesting look at the Red Sox franchise. I like Francona’s style.

Sunrise by Mike Mullin is the spectacular ending to the Ashfall trilogy! I devoured this monster book in a matter of days.

Current Audio:

I am on the second to last disc of The Boys in the Boat. I will be finishing this week. I am about half way through The Girl With a Clock For a Heart.

Currently Reading:

I have no idea what possessed me to request an arc of Amityby Micol Ostow! I am too scared to read it at home…

The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker was recommended to me by a friend. It is such a fun read. It certainly does not feel like a 600 page book! I started this one on Friday and I guarantee I will be finishing it tonight.

I am still plugging away at In the Shadows by Kiersten White and Jim di Bartolo. I am not in any hurry with this one.

Happy Monday, dear readers! Did everyone have a nice weekend? Did you squeeze in some reading time? I got a lot of listening in, but I think that I am in a bit of a reading slump when it comes to using my own eyeballs. There are a number of factors contributing to this, but I have isolated the one thing that I can actually change. I need to loosen up on the “rules.” I have really enjoyed having my teens pick books for me to read and for the most part, I have enjoyed their choices. I have also enjoyed participating in the Random Reads meme. However, with two book clubs, two teen’s choices, and a random read each month, there is less time to just read what I want to read. I had hoped a loosely structured readathon like Bout of Books would help, but sadly, I really dropped the ball on that one. Now that I am aware of what is hanging me up, I think I am going to take the summer “off” and just read whatever I want. Oh, the troubles that plague us readers, right? Despite my self-perceived slum, I managed to finish a few things last week.